The 77-year-old was honored for her commitment to refugees.Weilimdorf - St. Nicholas Day brought a very special surprise for Ingrid Bohsung: Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann presented her and 21 other citizens from Baden-Württemberg with the Cross of Merit with Ribbon on behalf of Federal President Joachim Gauck."I was totally surprised and couldn't believe that it really is the Federal Cross of Merit until I read it on the certificate," says the 77-year-old."I've gotten really hot and cold."Bohsung was honored for her tireless commitment to refugees, which has lasted for more than a quarter of a century.When the first asylum seekers were housed in Weilimdorf in 1986, she and other colleagues founded the Asylum Weilimdorf working group.For 23 years, Bohsung took care of the refugees in her district.She organized literacy and German courses, homework help, a children's club and a women's group, organized excursions and international festivals.The refugees could also count on their help when dealing with authorities and visiting the doctor.In addition, Bohsung succeeded in gaining acceptance and understanding among the residents and in reducing their fears and rejection.The family also took in refugees in their own home.In 2009, when there were hardly any refugees left in Weilimdorf, the Asylum Working Group was dissolved.Nevertheless, Bohsung continued her commitment.From 2005 to the present, the Weilimdorf native has written to the Hardship Commission 53 times.The balance: She managed to obtain 48 positive decisions, three procedures are still ongoing."It was always about cases where all the books were actually already closed," she explains.Thanks to her letters, she was able to prevent deportations or obtain the right to stay for tolerated people.Bohsung is still in contact with many of the people who fled to Germany a long time ago.She is happy to see how children who used to come to her to look after their homework are now doing their Abitur or studying.The next refugees will come to Weilimdorf next year.Will Ingrid Bohsung get involved again?"Of course!" she says without hesitation.She considers the planned location for three asylum homes in Hausen to be too remote, so it is all the more important to her to look after the people well.Even before the refugees arrive, she wants to work with others to think about how residents' fears can be alleviated – once again.Read more on the topic